memories

My sister Keri is the world's most organized person. Since my Mom, ummm, isn't, Keri is helping her get all of her old pictures on DVD so that we can all have copies of them. I just got the first 4 cds (roughly 1500 pics) this week. So fun! So here is just a quick stroll through memory lane.

Gotta love me, I'm the baby!


Cast courtesy of my brother Jared.

Jared and I were always buddies, still are!

Halloween costumes, old school style! Tyler was Yoda in case you were wondering.

Stay tuned. As I make it through more pictures there will be many more memories to share.

Erin needs...

This is too funny! What you do is go to google.com and type in "(your name) needs" and see what pops up. Here is my list!

Erin needs...
a drink (so true, too bad I don't drink- oblivion would be good right now!)
a liver transplant (I sure hope not! See above)
another miracle (amen!)
to wear shirts (ummmm...)
some love and support (doesn't everyone?)
a tv show (that would be pretty dull for you guys)
a boyfriend (I don't think John would agree with that! Or maybe he would...)
help (obviously)
to eat a sandwich (come to think of it, I am hungry)


Since I had so much fun with that (sorry if you didn't), I did it for John too!

John needs...
help (him too, huh?)
to embrace family values (actually he's pretty good at that)
a good nickname
to get his patootie back here (he he he he he!)
an iPhone (is that really a need?)
13 bottles of water (umm, okay????)
our prayers
rest (don't we all!!!)
an iron (yes, but can he use it)
lunch money (if you know John this is really funny!)
a haircut (too true! I guess it is time to make an appointment)

Go on, you know you want to try this yourself!

I don't like whining, it makes me GRUMPY!

My kids have hit a whining spell lately and it is driving me CRAZY! So this is a plea to all you parents out there and those of you with younger brothers and sisters...how do you make it stop? Most of the time I can calmly remind them that they need to ask for things without whining. I can be adult about it even. But for the past few days I haven't been sleeping well and all I want to do is pull out the duct tape and make them stop! I wouldn't, but the thought does have it's appeal. I know the situation is reaching critical condition because Samuel is starting to whine at other people and not just me! Ack! MAKE IT STOP!!!

So if any of you have any ideas, suggestions, comments, phone numbers for hit and run duct tape guys, please, please, PLEASE share!

yucky!!!

We're having a heat wave here in Philly. It has been about 98 degrees with 90% humidity since Saturday. Walking outside I feel like I should be swimming considering I am so stinkin' sweaty I am as wet as if I have been in a pool. I can't decide if I should even bother showering anymore considering I am soaking wet again 5 minutes after drying off. Yuck! The only hope I cling to on days like these is... the new house has central air! Glory Hallelujah!!!!

Happy Birthday Samuel!

Today Samuel turned 5. I can't believe how big he is! A kindergartener come September!! Here are some cute pics of him over the years.

Samuel's first official photo.

All hail the birthday king! Samuel at age 1.

Sam just after his 2nd birthday. Swimming in Utah at Grandma Liz and Grandpa Dwane's house.

Samuel with Aubrey on his 3rd birthday.

Exhausted (yeah, right) after a day of partying, Samuel at age 4.

Here is Samuel yesterday at his party sitting next to his future wife (his words, not mine... although I thoroughly approve!).

Samuel is my sweetheart. The quote of the day came from him as he was trying to talk me into a second piece of his 4-layer R2D2 cake as well as an ice cream sandwich, "To be your sweetheart I need to eat lots of sweets." Gotta love his logic! Samuel has an incredible imagination and a loves his family and friends unconditionally. And just for fun, here are a few pics of Sam just being Sam...

Domestic Goddess

Today I claim the title of Domestic Goddess! I should shout it from the rooftops because honestly, this is a rare occurance for me. We had a little birthday party for the boys today (a Star Wars party, of course) and since I couldn't find a nearby bakery that made Star Wars cakes, I decided to make one myself. Here is the result!

my life in a movie

We took the kids to a nearby playground yesterday when John got home from work. The kids went right to the slides and started piling the dirt/mulch that covers the playground area onto the slides. As soon as enough of the slide was covered (enough being about 2/3 of the slide about 3" thick), the boys would run up to the top and then slide down through the mess. I was being my relaxed self yesterday so I though this was quite entertaining.
After they had been doing this for about 20 minutes another little boy, about Sam's age came over to see what they were doing. Here is the conversation that ensued:

Boy: "You're not supposed to do that. Those sticks are on the ground so that it is soft and you don't get hurt. You are going to get in trouble."

At this point he noticed John and I sitting on a nearby bench.

Boy: "They're not supposed to do that."

I smiled in response and the boy began cleaning off the slides.
At this point Samuel joined the conversation, probably objecting to this boy interrupting their fun. I couldn't hear what was said until the boy turned again to John and I and said,

Boy: "My dad's bigger than that dad."

I busted up laughing. So did John. So did another dad standing nearby. I thought that was only something kids said in the movies!